Local school boards recognized by statewide education group

Groton - Six local school boards were recognized at the 106th annual Connecticut Association of Boards of Education conference on Friday.

The conference continues today and brings together 450 education leaders from across the state and the nation.

Boards of Education from Salem, Stonington and Waterford received a Level One CABE Board Leadership Award.

Boards from East Lyme, Montville and Old Saybrook received a Level Two Board of Distinction Award.

A total of 22 school boards from across the state also received leadership or distinction awards at the conference.

To receive a Level One award, school boards reach specific goals in 22 of 34 areas including board leadership and student achievement; board members' professional development; policy; community relations; and organizational leadership.

School boards that receive a Level Two award are "truly exemplary," a CABE press release said.

To be eligible for the Level Two award, a school board must have achieved Level One distinction at least twice in the past four years. Boards must also achieve distinction in at least two Level Two categories to receive the award.

Salem was the only school district of the local leadership award winners to receive recognition for its district budget and school website.

Also recognized during the two-day conference was Donald Blevins, a former Waterford Board of Education member.

Blevins received the Philip S. Fenster Distinguished Service Award as he "exemplifies the spirit of service so characteristic of Phil," a CABE press release stated.

Serving 12 years on the Board of Education, Blevins also represented Connecticut at the National School Boards Association convention, the NSBA delegate assembly and served as a Connecticut delegate to the NSBA Federal Relations Network Conferences.